Blackberries

26th May 202128th May 2021 By Simon

Words for blackberries and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*smiyoros = berry, berries
Old Irish (Goídelc)	smér = blackberry
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	smér = blackberry
Irish (Gaeilge)	sméar [sˠmʲiaɾˠ/sˠmʲeːɾˠ] = berry, blackberry sméarach = abounding in blackberries sméardhris = blackberry bush, bramble sméara dubha = blackberries púca na sméar = fruit-destroying pooka, herald of winter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smeur [smiar] = bramble, blackberry, mulberry smeur-dhubh = blackberry smeur-craoibhe = mulberry smeur-loganach = loganberry smeur-Artaigeach = nagoonberry, Arctic bramble/raspberry (Rubus arcticus) craobh nan smeur = mulberry tree (Morus)
Manx (Gaelg)	smeyr = blackberry, berry smeyr ghoo = blackberry smeyr churree = cranberry smeyr fannag = crowberry smeyr loaganagh = cloudberry crouw smeyr = mulberry
Proto-Brythonic	*muɨar = blackberries, berries
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyar(en) [ˈmʊɨ̯.ar/ˈmʊi̯.ar] = blackberries, dewberries, brambles, briers, berries mwyara = to gather blackberries; to be idle mwyarbren = mulberry bush, blackberry bush, bramble mwyar Berwyn/ mwyar Doewan = wild raspberries, (Rubus idæus), cloudberries, (Rubus chamæmorus) mwyar y brain = bilberries, whimberries, whortleberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) mwyar y ddaear = dewberries (Rubus cæsius), cloudberries mwyar du(on) = blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) mwyar Ffrengig = mulberries, blackberries mwyar glas = dewberries mwyar Mair = mulberries, dewberries
Old Cornish	moyr(bren) = berries
Cornish (Kernewek)	mor(en) = berries mora = to gather blackberries mor du = blackberries
Old Breton	moiaroc = berries
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mouar(enn) = blackberries, berries; bramble, mulberry tree mouar du / mouar gouez = blackberries, dewberries mouar gwenn = mulberries mouar ruz = red mulberries

Etmology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF)

Plums

19th May 202113th June 2024 By Simon

Words for plums, damsons, sloes, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	agrinyom/agrinyā = sloe, small plum, berry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirne = sloe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirne, airnne = sloe, kernel áirnech = abounding in sloes áirnechán = little sloe
Irish (Gaeilge)	airne [ˈɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈæːɾˠn̠ʲə] = sloe, gland airneog = sloe tree, blackthorn biotáille airní = sloe gin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirne [aːr̪n̪ʲə] = blackthorn, sloe (berry), wild plum (prunus domestica), damson (prunus domestica insititia) àirneag = sloe bush
Manx (Gaelg)	airn = sloe, bullace airnagh = sloe-covered soo airney = sloe jam drine airn = blackthorn, sloe tree (Prunus spinosa)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eirin(en) = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s) eirinha = to collect sloes or bullace eirinwyd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eirin(en) [ˈei̯rɪn] = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s), bullace, berries, testicle(s) eirina = to collect sloes or bullace eirinog = bearing plums or sloes eirinwydd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn eirin bwlas = bullace, wild plums (Prunus insititia), damsons eirin damasg/Damasgus = damson eirin Ffrainc/Ffrengig = prunes eirin gwlanog = peaches, apricots eirin gwynion = greengages eirin Mair = gooseberries eirin y moch = haws, hawthorn berries eirin morwydd = mulberries eirin peatus = nectarines eirin ysgaw = elderberries eirin y gors = crowberries
Old Cornish	yryn = sloes
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyrin(en) = sloe(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	<hirin, irin = sloes yrinenn = blackthorn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	irin(enn) [ˈiː.rĩn(n)] = sloe(s), sloe gin; pupil, eye irina = to look for sloes irineg = a place with sloes irinenn = blackthorn

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ógeh₂ (berry) [source]. The English word acorn comes from the same root, via the Proto-Germanic *h₂ógeh₂ [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	pluma [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = plum daimsín [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = damson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plumais / plùmbais [pl̪ˠumɪʃ / pl̪ˠuːmbɪʃ] = plum daimsin [dãĩmʃɪn] = damson
Manx (Gaelg)	plumbis = plum damsyl = damson
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plemys(en) = plum(s)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pluman = plum plumbren = plum tree
Cornish (Kernewek)	ploum(en) = plum(s) ploum(en) sygh = prune(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prun(enn), prun(en) = plum(s), testicule(s) prunec = sloe grove prunenn, prunen = plum tree
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prun(enn) = plum(s), testicule(s) pruneg, prunek = plum grove prunenn = plum tree

Etmology (plum): from the Middle English ploume/plomme (plum) from the Old English plūme/plume (plum), from the Proto-West Germanic *plūmā (plum), from the Latin prūnum (plum), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum). Prune comes from the same root [source]

Etmology (damson): from the Middle English damascene/damasyn/damacene (damson), from the Latin prūnum damascēnum (Damascene plum, plum of Damascus), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum) [source].

Milk

13th May 202113th May 2021 By Simon

Words for milk, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*laxto- = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lacht [l͈axt] = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacht [l̪ˠɑxt̪ˠ / l̪ˠaxt̪ˠ] = milk, yield of milk; tears lachtadh = lacation; flooding (of eyes) lachaí = nursling lachtach = lactic, milky; tearful lachtbhán = milkwhite lachtmhar = lactiferous, milky, abounding in milk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lac, lachd = sweet milk
Manx (Gaelg)	laghtveih = milk gauge, milk tester
Proto-Brythonic	*llaɨθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaeth = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaeth [ɬaːɨ̯θ / ɬai̯θ] = milk; milk-like substance, latex; milt, soft roe llaetha(f), llaethu = to yield milk, lactate, feed with milk, turn to milk llaetheiddrwydd = milkiness, lactescence llaethiad = lactation llaethlyd = milk-like, milky llaethog = milky, abounding in milk llaethogrwydd, llaethedd = milkiness llaethwraig = milkmaid, dairymaid, good milker llaethyddol = dairy, dairying y Llwybr Llaethog the Milky Way
Old Cornish	lait = milk
Middle Cornish	leth, leyth = milk
Cornish (Kernewek)	leth = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	laezh [ˈlɛːs] = milk

Etmology: from the Vulgar Latin *lacte (milk), from the Latin *lac (milk), from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵlákt [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mlixtus = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mlicht [mʲlʲixt] = milch, in milk (of cattle)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blicht = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bleacht [bʲlʲaxt̪ˠ] = milk, milk yield
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliochd [blixg] = milkiness, milk bliochdmhor [blixg(v)ər] = milky, full of milk bliochdach = milky, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bluight = lactiferous, lacteal, galactic bluightagh, ollagh vluight = milking cows
Proto-Brythonic	*bliθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blyth = milk lleurith = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blith [bliːθ] = milch, lactating (of cow, etc), full of milk, in calf, in lamb, pregant, fruitful, productive, nourising; milk, dairy produce, lactation, dairying; profit, gain, advantage blithog, blithiog = milch, giving milk, full of milk, fruitful, productive, bearing offspring llefrith [ˈɬɛvrɪθ] = milk, new milk, sweet milk, fresh milk
Old Cornish	leuerid = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	livrizh = milk

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ml̥ǵtus, from *h₂melǵ- (milk, to milk) [source].

The Welsh word llefrith, which is used in North Wales, comes from llef (weak) and blith (milk) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bandyo- = drop
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bannae = drop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bainne = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bainne [ˈbˠɑɲə / ˈbˠɑnʲə / ˈbˠan̠ʲə] = milk bainniúil = milky, milk-yielding bainniúlacht = milkiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bainne [ban̪ʲə] = milk, milky fluid, sap bainneach [ban̪ʲəx] = milk, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bainney = milk bainnagh = lactic, milk producing, milky, galactic bainnaght = milkiness yn Raad Mooar Bainnagh the Milky Way
Middle Cornish	banne = drop
Cornish (Kernewek)	banna = drop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banne = drop, droplet, glass

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Slavic *baňa (bath), from the Ancient Greek *βαλανεῖον (balaneîon, bath) [source], which is the root of words for bath(room) in many European languages, including bain in French, baño in Spanish and bagno in Italian [source].

Other words for milk in Proto-Celtic include: *glaxtā-, *melgos-, *mlig-e/o-, *seigi- and *sutu-.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF)

Juice

5th May 20215th May 2021 By Simon

Words for juice and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sūgos = juice
Old Irish (Goídelc)	súg = juice, sap; vigour, energy, strength; essence, inner nature
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú [sˠuː] = juice; sap, vigor, energy; soup, broth sú caoireola = mutton broth sú circe = chicken broth sú crainn = (tree) sap sú na fíniúna = wine sú na heorna = whiskey (“juice of barley”) sú oráistí = orange juice sú tobac = nicotine
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgh [suː] = juice, sap, jus, stock, soup, broth sùgh an eòrna = barley water, whisky (poetic) sùgh an daimh = venison broth sùgh circe = chicken stock sùgh fheanntagan = nettle soup sùgh feòla = gravy sùgh glasraich = vegetable stock sùgh-measa = fruit juice sùgh meirbheach = gastic juices sùigh-pheuran = perry (pear wine) sùgh-ubhail = apple juice
Manx (Gaelg)	soo = sap, juice soolagh = juicy, pithy; sauce, juice soo foalley = meat essence, beef extract, gravy soo-mess = fruit juice soo ny braghey = malt whisky soo ny hoarn = ale soo-ny-hooyl = cider soo y ghailley = bile
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	svg / suc / sug = juice. sap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sug = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, gray sudd [sɨːð/siːð] = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, sauce, gray, ketchup, syrup sudd afal = apple juice sudd ffrwyth(au) = fruit juice sudd oren = orange juice sudd y cylla / sudd cyllaol = gastric juices sudd yr heli = stock expression for something worthless sudd treulio / suddau traul = digestive juices
Cornish (Kernewek)	sugen = juice, sap, essence sugen aval = apple juice sugen frooth = fruit juice sugen kig = gravy sugen owraval = orange juice
Breton (Brezhoneg)	chug = juice chug-frouezh = fruit juice soubenn = soup soubenneg, soubennouer = (soup) tureen soubenn al laezh = quick-tempered (person) soubenn al lard = bacon soup soubenn an ognon = onion soup soubenn ar c’haol = cabbage soup

Etymology: from the from Proto-Indo-European *sug-/*suk-. The Latin word sūcus (juice, sap, moisture, strength, vitality) comes from the same root, as do related words in Romance languages, such as suc (juice) in French, sugo (tomato juice, sauce) and succo (juice, gist, pith, essence) in Italian, and jugo (juice, substance) in Spanish [source].

The English word succulent (juicy, lush, luscious), comes from the same Latin root, via the French succulent (succulent, juicy), and the Latin sūculentus (sappy, succulent) from sūcus (juice) and‎ -ulentus (full of, abounding in) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Nuts

29th April 20213rd May 2021 By Simon

Words for nut and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	knūs / knuwjā- = nut
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnú [knuː] = nut cnú frangcach = walnut
Irish (Gaeilge)	cnó = nut cnó capaill = horse-chestnut cnó cócó = coconut cnó coill/gealach = hazelnut cnó francach/gallda = walnut
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnò [krɔ̃ː] = nut; vesicle, gas bladder (on seaweed) cnò-almoin = almond cnò challtainn = hazelnut cnò-chòco = coconut cnò Fhrangach = walnut cnò-gheanmnaidh = chestnut cnò-thalmhainn = groundnut, peanut
Manx (Gaelg)	cro = nut, gall cro almon/Greagagh = almond cro coull = hazelnut cro bainney = coconut cro teayst = doughnut cro thallooin = peanut, groundnut, monkey nut
Proto-Brythonic	*know = nut
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnau [knaɨ̯/knai̯] = nuts cneuen = nut cnau almond = almongs cnau barfog = hazelnuts, chestnuts cnau ceffylau = horse-chestnuts cnau coco = coconuts cnau Ffrengig = walnutes
Cornish (Kernewek)	know [knoʊ] = nuts knowen, knofen = nut know dor = peanuts know Frenk/Frynk = walnuts know koko = coconuts know koll = hazelnuts know toos = doughnuts
Old Breton	cnou = nut
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kraoñ [kʁɔ̃] = nuts, walnuts kraonenn = nut kraoñ-kelvez = hazelnuts kraoñ-kokoz = coconuts

Etymology: possibly from the Pre-Celtic *knuHs. Cognate with the Proto-Germanic *hnuts (nut) and the Latin nux (nut, nut tree, almond tree), which come from the from Proto-Indo-European *knew- [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bread

24th April 202125th April 2021 By Simon

Words for bread and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ar(-akno)- = bread
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arán [ˈaraːn] = bread, loaf of bread
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arán [ˈaraːn] = bread
Irish (Gaeilge)	arán [əˈɾˠɑːn̪ˠ / ˈaɾˠanˠ] = bread arán baile = home-baked bread arán bán = white bread, baker’s bread arán coirce = oatbread, oatcake arán donn, arán rua = brown bread arán prátaí = potato cake
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aran [aɾan] = bread, loaf; livelihood, sustenance aran-coircearan-donn, aran ruadharan-eòrnaaran milisaran-seagail
Manx (Gaelg)	arran = bread arran Albinagh = shortbread arran bainney = bread roll arran bane = white bread arran dhone, arran ruy = brown bread arran greddan(it) = toast arran shoggyl = rye bread

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *arankā- (grain) [source].

Proto-Celtic	bargo / baragenā / *barginā = cake, bread
Old Irish (Goídelc)	barigen [ˈˈbarʲ.ɣʲən] = bread, loaf of bread
Irish (Gaeilge)	bairín = loaf bairín breac = barmbreac
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bairghin = bread, cake
Manx (Gaelg)	berreen = cake
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bara [ˈbara / ˈbaːra] = bread, loaf, slice; food, meal, sustenance, livelihood bara barlys = barley bread bara beunyddiol = daily bread bara brith = currant bread bara byr = buscuit bara ceirch = oat bread, oatcake bara coch = brown bread, barley bread bara drwg = bad bread, bad state, difficulties bara gwyn = white bread bara lawr = laverbread (made with edible seaweed) bara poeth = gingerbread, hot bread
Old Cornish	bara = bread
Cornish (Kernewek)	bara = bread bara byghan/bian = roll bara gwaneth = wheaten bread bara leun = wholemeal bread bara sugal = rye bread
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bara [ˈbɑː.ra] = bread bara bis = brown bread bara brazed = wholemeal bread bara brizh = currant bread bara gwenn = white bread bara kras = toast

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰars- (spike, prickle). Words from the same root include the English barley, the Scots bere/beir (barley), the Swedish barr (pine/fir needle), the Icelandic barr (pine needle), the Old Norse barr (corn, grain, barley), and the Latin far (spelt, coarse meal, grits), and words for flour in Romance languages, such as farine in French [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

You can find the origins of the English words bread and loaf on Radio Omniglot.

Butter

15th April 202117th April 2021 By Simon

Words for butter and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*emban = butter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	imb/imm [imʲbʲ] = butter
Irish (Gaeilge)	im [aimʲ / iːmʲ / ɪmʲ] = butter saill ime = butterfat uachtar ime = buttercream
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ìm [iːm] = butter imeach [iməx] = buttery, producing butter
Manx (Gaelg)	eeym = butter eeymagh = buttery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ymenyn = butter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)menyn [əˈmɛnɨ̞n / əˈmeːnɪn] = butter, curds blodyn menyn = buttercup (y)menyneiddiwch = butteriness (y)menynaidd = buttery
Old Cornish	amanen = butter
Cornish (Kernewek)	(a)manyn = butter
Middle Breton	amanen = butter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	amann [ã.ˈmãnː] = butter amanennañ [ã.ˈmãnː] = to butter amanenner [ã.ˈmãnː] = butter dish kouign-amann = kouign-amann (a traditional Breton butter cake)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷen- (fat, butter), from *h₃engʷ- (to smear, anoint) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Cheese

7th April 20218th April 2021 By Simon

Words for cheese and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cáise = cheese
Irish (Gaeilge)	cáis [kɑːʃ / kæːʃ] = cheese cáiseoir = cheese-maker, cheese-monger cáisiúil = cheesy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	càise [kaːʃə] = cheese càisean, cùl-càise = cheese rind brèid-càise, anart-càise = cheesecloth
Manx (Gaelg)	caashey = cheese, cheesy caasheydagh = cheesy
Proto-Brythonic	*kọs = cheese
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	caws, caus = cheese
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caws [kau̯s] = cheese, curds, a cheese cawsa = to beg cheese, collect cheese cawsai = cheese begger, one who makes cheese cawsaidd = caseous, cheesy cawsion = curd, curds, curdlings cawslestr = cheesel, cheese vat/mould cawslïain = cheese-cloth cawsty = cheese house, dairy cosyn [ˈkɔsɨ̞n / ˈkɔsɪn] = a piece of cheese
Cornish (Kernewek)	keus [køːs] = cheese keuswask = cheese press
Breton (Brezhoneg)	keuz = cheese keuzerezh = cheese factory

Etymology: from the Latin cāseus (cheese), from the Proto-Indo-European *kwh₂et- (to ferment, become sour) [source].

Middle Breton)	fourondec, foulondec = cheese
Breton (Brezhoneg)	formaj = cheese fourmajerezh = cheese factory

Etymology: from the Latin Latin fōrmāticum (cheese), short for cāseus fōrmāticus (form cheese), from cāseus (cheese) amd fōrma (form, mold) [source]. More cheesy words in European languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sweet

16th October 201823rd February 2024 By Simon

Words for sweet and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	melissis, melisti = sweet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	milis [ˈmʲilʲisʲ] = sweet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	milis = sweet, fresh (water)
Irish (Gaeilge)	milis [ˈmʲɪlʲɪʃ] = sweet, tender, tasty, fresh (water); honeyed (words), flattering milisbhriathrach = sweet-spoken, honey-tongued milisín = sweet morsel milseán = sweet, bonbon, candy; sweet dish, dessert milseog = dessert; sweetheart, darling milsigh = to sweeten uisce milis = sweet/fresh water teange mhilis = flattering tongue
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	milis [milɪʃ] = sweet; melodious, musical; flattering aran-milis = gingerbread baine milis = sweet milk, condensed milk buntàta milis = sweet potato, yam coirce-milis = sweet corn, maize slaman-milis = jelly
Manx (Gaelg)	millish = sweet, darling, sugary, dulcet, honeyed, luscious, fruity, balmy bee millish = sweetmeat, sweet feddan millish = recorder, fipple flute fooillagh millish = trifle slumm millish = jelly ushtey millish = fresh water focklyn millish = honeyed words
Proto-Brythonic	*melɨs = sweet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melis, melys = sweet, pleasant-tasting, delicious meledic = sweetened with honey melysvwyt, melysvwyd, melys-fwyd = sweet food, sweet dish, delicacy, dainty food, sweetmeat, dessert melûsrwyth, melyssrwydd = sweetness, sweet or delicious taste
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melys [ˈmɛlɨ̞s/ˈmeːlɪs/ˈmɛlɪs] = sweet, pleasant-tasting, delicious, tasty; not salty, fresh (water); delightful, agreeable, pleasant, charming; sweet-sounding, euphonious, melodious; sweet-smelling, fragrant dant melys = sweet tooth pethau melys = sweets tatws melys = sweet potato melysaf, meluso = to sweeten, mitigate, alleviate melysaidd, melusaidd = rather sweet, delightful, agreeable melyfwyd, melusfwyd = sweet food, sweet dish, delicacy, dainty food, sweetmeat, dessert melyfwyd, melusfwyd = sweet, delicious, delightful, agreeable, pleasant, melodious, fond of sweet food or drink, greedy, voracious melysrwydd, melusrwydd = sweetness, sweet or delicious taste, melodiousness, fondness for delicate food
Cornish (Kernewek)	melys [‘mɛlɪs/’mɛləʃ] = very sweet, honeyed kleves melys = diabetes
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	milis = honeyed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	milis = honeyed, sweetish, sneaky
Breton (Brezhoneg)	melis, milis = honeyed

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mélid (honey)), which is also the root of the English words mildew and mulch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*su̯eko-s = to smell (good)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwech = sweet wech, chweg, chwec = sweet, lucious, pleasant, comely
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwech [χweːχ/hweːχ] = sweet chweg = sweet, lucious, pleasant, comely chwegaidd = sweetish chwegrwydd = sweetness, lusciousness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hwec, hwecah, hweg, hwêg, whêk = sweet, pleasant, dear hwecter, whecter = sweetness, pleasantness, suavity, delight hwegol, whegol = dear
Cornish (Kernewek)	hweg = sweet, dear, gentle, kind, nice, pleasant, pleasing hwegednow, hwegnnow = candy hwegen = darling, pet, lozenge, sweet hwegoll = darling, delightful, sweetest hwegys = sweetcorn, maize hweg-oll = darling, delightful, sweetest ys hweg = sweetcorn, maize
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	huec = sweet, delicate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hwek [xweːk] = soft, suave, sugar, delicious, exquisite, pleasant c’hwekaat = to sweeten c’hwekted [ˈxwek.tet] = softness, suavity c’hwekter = delicacy mel c’hwek = sweet honey gwin c’hwek = sweet wine

Etymology: unknown

The usual Breton word for sweet is dous, which probably comes from the Old French dous (soft, tender), form the Latin dulcis (sweet, fragrant, melodious), from the Proto-Indo-European *dl̥kú- (sweet) [source].

Honey

15th October 201823rd February 2024 By Simon

Words for honey in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*meli(t) = honey
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mil = honey
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mil, mel = honey criathar mela = honeycomb
Irish (Gaeilge)	mil [mʲɪlʲ] = honey militeach = honey-eating miliúil = honey-like, honeyed beach mheala = honey bee blas meala = taste of honey, delicious taste briathra meala = honeyed words broc meala = honey badger ceo meala = honey dew cíor mheala = honeycomb lá meala = delightful day mí na meala = honeymoon chomh milis le míl = as sweet as honey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mil [mil] = honey mil an fhraoich = heather honey mil-dheoch = mead mil air do bheul! = that’s wonderful/excellent news! (“honey on your mouth”) teillean-meala = honey bee cho milis ris an t-siùcar / cho milis ris a’ mhil = as sweet as honey
Manx (Gaelg)	mil [mɪl] = honey mill freoaie = heather honey mill kerey = comb honey mill freoaie = heather honey cha millish as mill = as sweet as honey
Proto-Brythonic	mel = honey
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	mel = honey
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mel, mêl = honey meledic = sweetened with honey
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mêl [meːl] = honey, nectar mêl ar ei frechdan/fara = source of pleasure (“honey on his sandwich/bread”) mêl ar ei fysedd = schadenfreude (“honey on his fingers”) mêl grug = heather honey mêl gwyllt = wild honey dil mêl = honeycomb gwenynen mêl = honey bee mis mêl, melfis = honeymoon melaf, mela, melu = to gather nectar to make honey, to sweeten (with honey) melaidd = sweet, honey-like meledig = sweetened with honey
Old Cornish	mel = honey
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mel, mêl = honey melder = sweetness
Cornish (Kernewek)	mel = honey melder = darling, sweetness, love
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mel, mèl, meel, mil = honey
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mel [meːl] = honey, compliments mela = to look for honey, honeydew meladour = honey merchant melek = honeyed meler = honey maker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mélid (honey), which is also the root of the English words mildew and mulch [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Food & Drink

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Honey